Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-12-18
LEGISLATIVE WORK.
AHorHx1 RIPuBLrcAN EFFORT 10
nAxE CAPITAL or TIE DkrEAr OF
coLouHL .HARRrsUN.
Discussien In the Honss Of Delegates with
Reference TO the Abolition Of the Re-
gistsr Of the Land once,


TheSenate met yesterday at 10 o'clock
Hon. John L. Hurt, President pro tenn,
In the chair. Prayer by Rev. DR.. Robert
p. Kerr.
FOR THE ooSvIcrs
When tho Journal had been read
the Chair laid before the Senate a
communication from the Register oil
the Land Office, which was, on motion OF
Mr.. Ellyson, who offered the resolution
calling for the information, referred to
the Committee on Public Institutions.
MIR. Wingfeld states that there are
five convicts employed at the Capitol
building and two at the Governors
Mansion. Those employed at the Capt.
tol building build fires, sweep and dust
the building, scour floors, wash windows
and spittoons, saw and split all wood
used, cart off ell garbage, cut grass on the
Square, sweep walks, and repair walks.
Outside the Square they put away all
fuel and clean yards, &c, for the Court
OF Appeals, Superintendent OF Public
instruction, Commissioner Of Agricul-
ture, Superintendent of Public Printing,
load and unload books and printed matter
for the latter, load and unload arms and
ammunition for the Adjutant- General,
with many other duties. The Register
says:
IL do not think less than four men can per
form the labor now performed by couyicts around
the Capitol unless their labors should be confined
20 the Capitol grounds ana buildings, in which
case three men would be sufficient, with two Tor
the Governors Mansion and yards which would
make total OF I'VE at a cost OF probably $50 per
month";
REGISTER OF THE LAND OFFICE.
A communication from his Excellency
Governor Lee, relating to the expense OF
the Register of the Land Office, was read
and similarly referred. 1t is published
below in the House report
COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE.
Mr.. HUBBARD (Republican) offered the
following;
Whereas we are supposed to be representa-
tive body; and whereas the agricultural inte-
rests OF this State are surely OF paramount I'M
portance. demanding alike onr sympathy. en-
couragement and jealous support in such a
manner and 20 such an extent that the farmers
OF mis- State may fully realize that we are their
friends and protectors, and as such lend Will
ing ear 10 their grievances OF all kinds and de-
acrfptions: and whereas II IL alleged that there
r. great dissatisfaction among farmers IN various
portions of the State at the election OF Thomas
Whitehead, a lawyer and ex-editor, 70 the posi-
ton OF Commissioner Of Agriculture, In the place
and stead Of that gallant MANNED Confederate
soldier, Colonel Randolph Harrison, who In Its
highest sense r. typical Virginia gentleman
and farmer, and having devoted bis energies
of mind and body 20 agricultural pursuits Is pc
culiary well fitted 20 the position with which Tor
nve years he has filled with such satisfaction and
disting uished ability; and whereas Ii j. due 10 the
farmers OF this State less than TO Colonel Har-
risou and his many friends that this matter shall
be inquired into; and whereas there can be little
doubt about the right 70 appoint committee 70
investigate any matter In which the people OF
this State have vital concern and whereas II
there should arise doubt ia the mind OF any
member as 70 tee right 10 appoint committee
To inquire into this matter IL s believed that pro-
cedents can be found in the Journals OF both
houses OF the General Assembly OF Virginia for
the sessions OF lss3-'Si now therefore be II
Resolved BY the Senate lthe House OF Delegates
concurring(, That a committee Of Ave be ap-
pointed two on the part OF the Senate and three
on the part OF the House,
I. Toinvestigate the ofacial conduct OF Colonel
Randolph Harrison as Commissioner OF Agrlcul-
ture and ascertain what causes, IL any, exist 10
justify the conclusion that the agricultural in
forests Of the State were not safe In his hands.
Q What causes led % the remarkable course OF
placing an attorney at law and ex-editor over the
Farmers OF Virginia in the position OF Commits
sioner OF Agriculture, and the said committee
shall have power 10 send for persons and papers
and shall make report OF their proceedings 10
the General Assembly OF Virginia.
INDEFINITELY POSTPONED.
MIR. Williams moved to suspend the
rules requiring the resolution to lie over
one day. On this Mr.. Mcdonald called
the ayes and noes, which resulted-ayes,
25; noes, 10. The resolution was taken
up, and MIR. Williams moved TO 1ndeil-
nitely postpone. Mr.. Lovenstein de-
manded the pending question, and the
motion OF Mr.. Williams was carried.
Mr.. Williams voted against the resolu-
ton. He spoke in the highest terms of
Colonel Harrison, for whom he would
have voted had he been present at the
election, and said he voted as he did be-
cause the intent of this resolution was,
he believed, to investigate the Demo-
cratic party, with which he had nothing
TO do. He also spoke highly Of Colonel
Whitehead as a gentleman and good
farmer.
PRESENTED AND REFERRED.
By Mr.. Mills: Bill to incorporate
the town Of Big Stone Gap.
By Mr.. Acker: Bill TO authorize the
creation OF lien bonds on personal pro-
perty and to provide for their recordation
and enforcement.
By Mr.. Rhea: Bill to provide com
pensation for witnesses regularly sum
moned before grand iuries.
By MIR. Williams (by request IC
incorporate the Bank of Christiansburg
THE corporators named are Henry 3
Trout. Crockett l.. Pierce, Waller Il
Staples, Rice d. NJ. Charlton, Henry u
Blair, Robert II. Logan, and John ID
Johnston. Capital stock to be not les
than $50, 1000 nor more than 100000
divided into shares OF 800 each.
By Mr.. Nance: Bill to remove thu
political disabilities of Daniel 7. Curtis
SENATE BILLS PASSED.
The following Senate bills were passed
To incorporate the Falls Church ant
Potomac Railway Company.
To prevent county, district, school, ant
corporation officers and school trustee
from purchasing county and corporation
warrants.
To amend section / OF chapter IA o
m act to fix the times for holding tn
terms of the Circuit Court of Bedfor'
county, approved January ii, 1887.
INTEREST ON THE DEBT.
Mr.. Smoot offered the following:
P..o,,,d. That the Second Auditor be directe
a. fnrniah for the use OF the Senate at IN
ssyfieef practicable moment q statement OF IN
amount Of money which viii be necessary 70 pa
thu Interest ON the public debt OF Virginia wne
the same shall ell have been funded Into kic
dieberger bonds, for the purpose OF enabling IN
IAeisiaturo 10 provide by proper Legislation it
the payment OF the interest upon the said Del
a. the same shall accrue.
Adopted.
At l o'clock the Senate adjourne
until Monday at noon.
House OF Delegates.
The House met at noon-Speake
Caldwell in the chair. No prayer.
SENATE BILLS REPORTED FROM COMMIT
TEES.
To incorporate the trustees of the Bal
fist State Mission Board to declar
valid the deed from the trustees OF 81
Lakes Protestant Episcopal church, i
Amherst county, TO u. ID. Meriwether
providing q special game law for tn
counties OF Buckingham, Augusta, Gu
-... Rannobappocl Ma1,oOn nm